Salt Water Cruise

[Todd Atchison]

I've always sailed in fresh water and will be venturing into salt water for the first time in two weeks. I have a Honda Power Stroke 9.9 and was wondering, after cruising for a week what should be done to the engine in terms of cleaning / flushing? Is there anything I need to know before or after? Special precautions etc.? I assume the entire boat will need a wash down daily and thoroughly when done. What am I missing?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Daily?? wow, that would be a chore. I'd plan for a washdown after the week. Many here use a car wash place, getting the trailer also.,,And for sure flush engine after haul out

 

[capta]

Our Johnson 4 stroke 15 hp outboard is around 11 years old and has been used almost daily in only salt water and still runs like a top. It has never, ever been flushed! I must admit, I certainly did not expect it to last this long without being flushed often, but as liveaboards, flushing our outboard is just not practical.
I would suggest not worrying too much about daily flushing, but definitely wash the outside well and flush it before you put it away for an extended period.

 

[rgranger]

After a good cleaning, take the boat sailing in fresh water. Convince yourself you are doing a chore by sailing your boat ....

"Honey...I need to give the boat and motor a good long soak to get all of the salt out of the bottom paint".

 

[Todd Atchison]

That's the best advice all day Ranger!

 

[Roland5048]

If you've never sailed in saltwater, your boat may feel different at first because it's sitting higher in the water. Don't worry. Saltwater is just a bit denser than fresh. I grew up boating and swimming in salt water exclusively. When I first went swimming in fresh water, I thought I was going to drown.
Actually, after thinking about this for a minute, you might be at the same waterline level because of all the crap you are going to carry for a week out. Have fun.
Where are you going?

 

[Todd Atchison]

Roland,
How did you know we were taking that much? lol We tell ourselves we will leave what we don't need in the Jeep and only take a day or two supplies... but, that never works.

 

[Joe]

Salt water is no big deal... you kick the motor up when you're gonna stay put and all the saltwater drains out anyway. Some people think salt water is akin to battery acid.... not so.. Freshwater flushing it once or twice a year won't hurt, but it's not critical if you use it a lot. Using it regularly is the best thing you can do. Next best is to run it for 15 minutes every week or two.

 

[Benny17441]

Special Precautions? Salt is abrasive change clothes frequently. If you get a cut and dip it into salt water it can easily get infected. Joy is the only liquid dishwashing detergent that will lather up in salt water. Conserve fresh water aboard.

 

[Jacktar]

When you dock , unplug the fuel hose and run it dry. Then flush using the flush plug with fresh water for a minute or two. Thats it. Clean boat once a year whether it needs it or not. Sail frequently and with gusto.

 

[shemandr]

After a few days cruise in salt water and after swimming I can make these really cool hair doo's by just moving the hair around. That's when I know I've hit my cruising stride.

 

[jssailem]

@Todd Atchison The worse to happen is when you go to sell it you won't be able to use the phrase "Only sailed in fresh water". But never mind. It is not what sells a boat. It is how you take care of it after your have sailed it. I believe sailing a boat is better then selling it. Showing a potential buyer that it sails is maybe 2-3 on the list of selling a boat.

 

[capta]

Don't forget the difference in buoyancy between fresh and salt water can affect your stability. I would make certain you only cross the line between the two head-on, or it is possible that the boat may capsize, should the windward side be in salt water and the lee in fresh.

 

[justsomeguy]

 

[JimInPB]

I would wash the boat & flush the motor at the end of the week, when you pull it out. I would also wash the trailer well. I would then grease the wheel bearings, if you have bearing buddies, & roll the trailer around a bit to distribute the fresh grease before putting the rig to bed.

Also, +1 on running the fuel out of the carb, or at least draining the carb at the end of the week, if the boat is going to sit for a while.

I've owned a lot of outboard motors in the last 35 years. They have varied in their ability to stand up to salt water. Most of the older Johnson, Evenrude, & Yamaha stuff held up pretty well, with just basic care. The same goes for Tohatsu & Merc (often the same thing these days). The older Suzuki motors had issues with salt water corrosion killing the power head, but the new ones are not nearly as bad. I currently own my first & only Honda outboard. It has had more than it's share of corrosion on fasteners & the drive shaft bushing in the lower unit. Other than that, it has been doing OK. The off-brand motors do not hold up so well.

 

[JimInPB]

... If you get a cut and dip it into salt water it can easily get infected. ...

If you have farm runoff, rotten fish guts, blue/green algae or red tide in the area, then I would tend to agree with that statement. If the salt water is the nice clear blue stuff that I find out in the gulf-stream, then I would disagree. That stuff seems to be more of an antiseptic than anything else. It stings a little when it hits a cut, but it seems to promote healing, rather than hamper it.

 

[Ken Cross]

Don't forget the difference in buoyancy between fresh and salt water can affect your stability. I would make certain you only cross the line between the two head-on, or it is possible that the boat may capsize, should the windward side be in salt water and the lee in fresh.

You have me laughing.

Ken

 

[rgranger]

If you have farm runoff, rotten fish guts, blue/green algae or red tide in the area, then I would tend to agree with that statement. If the salt water is the nice clear blue stuff that I find out in the gulf-stream, then I would disagree. That stuff seems to be more of an antiseptic than anything else. It stings a little when it hits a cut, but it seems to promote healing, rather than hamper it.

I think it depends.
As a kid the grown ups would tell us to soak a cut in salt water and it worked. But that was in the vermillion bay ... could have also been the salt or that I was young and healed fast and the grown ups thought it was funny to watch us kids wince BUT every scratch Ive ever gotten in the Pamlico sound has gotten infected.